It’s hard not to be pessimistic about Penn State athletics right now.

The football team has fallen from the pedestal it has sat on for the last decade and has yet to win a Big Ten game this season, while the men’s hockey team started 0-4, tumbling out of the USCHO rankings.

Penn State fans across the land have voiced criticism of players and coaches, all the way up to athletic director Pat Kraft.

Through all the dysfunction, however, it’s vital to highlight the success women’s sports have had at Penn State this fall. Here’s a look at some of the stellar women’s sports teams to give Nittany Lion fans a bright spot to watch for:

Women’s Volleyball

Women’s volleyball is on its hottest stretch of the season.

The Nittany Lions are ranked No. 16 in the AVCA poll and have won six of their last seven games, including victories over three ranked opponents.

They wrapped up last weekend with a 3-1 upset over No. 10 Oregon on Friday and a 3-1 win at No. 18 Indiana on Sunday.

Right-side hitter Kennedy Martin is having a scorching 2026. The 6-foot-6 senior leads Penn State this season with 311 kills, including a monstrous 25-kill performance against Oregon.

Martin also had a double-double with 14 kills and 13 digs in a sweep of No. 20 Washington.

Penn State is fighting for a top-four conference seed in November, which would earn it a double bye in the Big Ten Tournament in Fishers, Indiana, from November 20 to 25.

Women’s Hockey

Penn State women’s hockey sits at No. 6 in the USCHO rankings and is riding a five-game win streak following back-to-back series sweeps.

Women’s hockey is full of exciting players, old and new, who have propelled the team to early-season success.

In Penn State’s sweep of St. Lawrence, juniors Grace Outwater and Abby Stonehouse provided the firepower. Stonehouse scored two goals in Game 1 to fuel a Penn State comeback, and Outwater netted the overtime winner in Game 2.

Penn State’s freshman class has quickly become key contributors. Goaltender Morgan Stickney is coming off a 21-save performance for her third career win on Friday and has already won AHA Rookie of the Week twice in 2026.

Freshman forward Sofia Ismael has put away six goals so far, leading all rookies nationally. She has also tallied eight assists, which ties the team lead. Ismael won AHA Forward of the Week earlier in October.

As women’s hockey finds its rhythm, it heads on the road to RIT and Mercyhurst in the coming weeks.

Field Hockey

Hannah Prince’s first year at the helm of Penn State field hockey has featured thrilling overtime winners, exciting upsets, and time spent in the rankings.

In October, the Nittany Lions went on an eight-game unbeaten run that was snapped Sunday by No. 6 Iowa. Over that stretch, Penn State upset three ranked opponents, including No. 18 Michigan, No. 13 Indiana, and a 4-3 shootout win over Ohio State, earning its first spot in the rankings all season at No. 19.

Junior forward Ella Gaitan has been an offensive force for the Nittany Lions. She leads the team with 11 goals this season, including a two-goal performance against Michigan and a shootout goal against Ohio State.

These efforts and more earned her Big Ten Offensive Player of the Week earlier in October.

Penn State’s win over Ohio State also clinched a spot in next month’s Big Ten Tournament. Its final home game is Friday against Northwestern.

Women’s Soccer

Penn State women’s soccer recently clinched a berth in the Big Ten Tournament with a 2-1 upset victory over No. 5 Michigan State on October 22. The Nittany Lions’ season has featured standout players, gritty performances, and head coach Erica Dambach’s 300th win.

Penn State’s upset win over Michigan State featured a three-point performance from Aubrey Kulpa, who earned a spot in the national rankings alongside freshman Paige Pasinski.

Women’s soccer will look to cap off its regular season with a home win against Indiana Friday.